Southgate has been on the job since 2016 but has yet to win a major tournament as manager of the Three Lions, and former England international Darren Bent has suggested that this summer should mark the end of the 53-year-old's tenure regardless of what happens at the continental championship.

Speaking on Lord Ping: Red or Black, Bent put forth a replacement for Southgate should the time come for him to move on, and it's one who has achieved a lot of success inside England and abroad.

"Pep Guardiola has always spoken about being an international [manager] at some stage and spoken about Brazil, but there aren't many managers that know the English players and the English league more than Pep," Bent said. "Half the England squad plays in his team and he'll know how to get the best out of them. He'd be the ideal replacement."

While there is no sign of Southgate's departure coming any time soon, Bent is confident that three-time Champions League winner Guardiola would be eventually the right man for the job.

"Gareth has done well but you're in major tournaments to win them," he said. "You know what you're getting from Pep, there's no risk, so he would be my first choice."

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